Havering

Havering's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in ethnicity, housing tenure and health.

The population reached nearly 240,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Havering increased by 5.8%, from just over 224,000 to 237,000.

The addition of just under 13,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Havering was home to, on average, 15 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres). This made it London's second-least densely-populated borough.

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Havering

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Havering increased by one year, from 39 to 40 years.

This suburban area had the highest average age in London and remained slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 4,700 people between the ages of 20 and 29 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 4,000.

About 12% of people in Havering are aged between 20 and 29 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Havering by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Havering residents that were unemployed increased from 2.6% to 4.5% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in two (53%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 54% in 2001. The percentage of Havering residents that were self-employed increased from 8.7% to 11%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 4.4% in 2001 to 5.2% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in Havering increased by 1.9 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Havering, London and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

This area saw London's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

Across the region, only Enfield saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner (from 10.0% to 12%).

During this period, Havering went from having the 25th-highest to the 16th-lowest percentage of people who had divorced or separated out of 309 English local authority areas.

In 2011, just over 1 in 10 (10%) people aged 16 and over in Havering said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 9.1% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 55% to 49%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was lower than across London

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Havering

The number of people in Havering from the White ethnic groups remained close to 210,000 between the last two seasons. This represents a change from 95% to 88% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across London (from 71% to 60%), but at a slower rate than the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Havering from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 5,000 in 2001 to just under 12,000 in 2011 (from 2.2% to 4.9%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just over 3,100 to just over 11,000 (from 1.4% to 4.8%).

About 4,900 people (1.0%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just under 2,300 in 2001 (2.1%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Havering decreased by 7.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Havering by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Fall in home ownership

The percentage of households that owner their home fell in Havering, but at a slower rate than across London.

In Havering, the proportion of home ownership decreased from 79% in 2001 to 74% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion decreased from 56% to 48%.

Across England, the share of households that owner their home decreased from 68% to 63%.

Private renting in Havering increased from 5.5% to 11%, while the rate of social housing remained close to 14%.

The rate of home ownership was higher than across London

Percentage of households that that owner their home across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

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